Janesville woman sentenced to probation for stealing drugs taken from patient

ELKHORN – A Janesville care worker who prosecutors say stole prescription drugs from a client's home was sentenced to three years probation and 30 days in jail Friday in Walworth County Court, according to a news release from the state attorney general's office.

Sarah Rekenthaler, 33, of 152 S. Locust, Janesville, said she sold the pills she took to make money to pay her rent, according to the release.

The Aurora Visiting Nurse Association employed Rekenthaler as a home health aide and was investigating Rekenthaler, according to the release.

The association found that on Feb. 7, 2012, while Rekenthaler was working at the home of an elderly client, she took the client's prescription bottle that held 60 Vicodin tablets, the release states.

The client's son saw Rekenthaler “suspiciously moving” near a chair where the pills were stored. The next day, he noticed the bottle was gone, according to the criminal complaint.

Rekenthaler pleaded guilty September 26 to one felony count of possession of a narcotic drug. The charge of felony theft was dismissed.